Digby Ioane
Digby currently plays with the Queensland Reds in the Super 14 and made his debut for the Wallabies in June 2007.
Born in Wellington but raised in Melbourne Digby moved to Brisbane to complete his schooling at St Josephs College, Gregory Terrace. Digby represented Australia at schoolboy level in both 2002 and 2003 before representing Australia at U19 and U21 level in 2004.
Digby again represented the Australian U21 side in 2005 before being selected to tour with the Wallabies in December of the same year having never played Super rugby. In 2006 Digby was a foundation member of the Western Force playing 12 games of Super rugby, and then represented Australia A against Fiji before again being selected to represent the Australian U21 side for the third consecutive year. To cap off a massive year Digby was also nominated for the International Rugby Board’s U21 International Player of the Year award.
In 2007 after another successful season with the Western Force, Digby made his Wallaby debut against Wales. With a try saving tackle and try in front of his home crowd Digby couldn’t have dreamt for a better debut.
Off contract in 2009 Digby is sure to be one of the hottest properties on the international player market.
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Ben Lucas
Ben is a current member of the Queensland Reds Super 14 side.
Born in Ipswich, Ben was educated at St Josephs College, Gregory Terrace representing Australian Schoolboys in 2004 and 2005 before going on to represent Australia at U19’s level in 2006.
In 2007 Ben caught the eye of not only the spectators with impressive performances for Australia on the IRB 7’s circuit but also the eye of then Wallaby coach John Connolly with his impressive performances for Sunnybank culminating in his individual 35 point haul in the Grand Final win over the Gold Coast.
Beginning 2008 as a member of the Reds Academy, Ben was invited to train with the Reds throughout the preseason where they experimented with Ben as a halfback rather than in his preferred five eight position. With impressive performances at 9, Ben not only managed to force his way into the Reds starting XV during the 2008 Super 14 season Ben also played himself into Wallaby calculations just 6 months after taking up the halfback position.
Having already been selected for Australia A, and with his versatility to cover both halfback and five eight Ben is certainly on the verge of making a name for himself on the international stage.
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Nic Henderson
Born in Millmerran Queensland, Nic moved to Wagga Wagga as a child graduating from Kooringal High School. Having played league with Turvey Park as a junior Nic was signed for 2 years by the Melbourne Storm in 2000.
It wasn’t until 2002 Nic switched to Rugby representing the Canberra Vikings before gaining selection in the Australian U21 side in the same year.
Following his success with Australian U21’s Nic was signed up by the Brumbies in 2003 before making his Super 12 debut Round 1 of 2004.
In his debut season with the Brumbies Nic played every game, won the Super 12 Championship, was awarded the Super 12 Rookie of the Year and made his Wallaby debut- not a bad debut season!
Since 2004 Nic has continued to establish himself as one of the leading props in Australian Rugby. Well respected by his peers and with over 50 Super Rugby caps to his name Nic is a now a senior member of the Brumbies squad and an integral part of their future success.
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Junior Pelesasa
Currently with the Western Force, Junior was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia at the age of 16.
In 1998 Junior was selected for the Australian Schoolboys UK Tour after which he became sought after by both Rugby Union and League. It was the Brisbane Broncos who won out signing Junior for 2 years however Junior returned to rugby in 2001 signing with the Queensland Reds.
Renowned for his powerful line breaks and bone-rattling defence Junior was selected for Australia A in 2005 and was soon targeted by the Western Force for their inaugural season. Signing with the Force for the 2006 season Junior continued making impressions on not just the Super 14 competition but also opposition players with his damaging fend.
Junior has continued to represent Australia A in 2006 and 2007 however injury ruled Junior out of the Force’s 2008 Super 14 campaign and ending his chances of further honours for the 2008 season.
Still with the Western Force in 2009 Junior will be back to his damaging best for their Super 14 campaign after which his signature will again be know doubt sought after both in Australian and overseas.
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Lopeti Timani
Standing 194 cm, weighing 118 kg and still growing, 18 year old Lopeti Timani is set to take the rugby world by storm in 2009.
Nicknamed 'Tongan Terminator', Lopeti has already made his mark in both rugby codes.
In 2007, he represented the Tongan National Rugby League Team in the South Pacific 9-a-side Tournament as a 16 year old and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
In 2008, he starred for Tonga Under 18s in rugby union and was selected for Tonga Under 20s. However, he was ineligible to play in the Under 20 World Cup as at 17, he was deemed too young by the International Rugby Board.
A free agent, Lopeti's prized signature is now being sought by the best rugby union and rugby league clubs around the world.
Experts from both rugby codes believe Lopeti Timani has the potential to redefine the way the game is played.
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